Western Colorado University
Gunnison, CO, USA

Reviews

Western Colorado University

Jacquelyn from Grand Rapids, MI

a current student here
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The teachers from Western State are voted the best of the state of Colorado. The teacher to student ratio is 20:1. Since the school and class sizes are small, you receive a lot of one-on-one action and the teachers make sure you know the material before moving on. I have learned so much that I bipassed in high school. The teachers teach subjects in a way that in interesting and attention grabbing. You will never get bored and will be excited to go to class the next time.
Am enjoying being here
The atmosphere, the students, the teacher, the campus; what's not to love about Western. Everything here in Gunnison is amazing. The people, both classmates and towns people, are incredibly friendly and laid back. It is a great environment to attend school. It's easy to study here and find things to do. You'll never get bored and will make plenty of friends. I came here not knowing anyone, and made friends in a heart beat. Everyone is so open and will welcome you right into the Gunnison community. The school itself is also amazing. The building are very nice and we just had our new Student Center open, and it's a great place to go and just hang out. We even got a new movie theater in it.
Bang for the buck
Western State is definitely great for your money, whether in state or out of state. Since I am an out of state resident, it is costly, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. The learning experience and everything else is amazing and there is no way anyone would complain about wasting money.
Tips for prospective students
Aim high and just be excited. This college will be everything you will want in a school and more. Make sure to branch out of your comfort zone and meet friends the first day. It is very easy to meet people here and make friends. Also, attend orientation, because you will meet many of your future friends there. Study hard and there will still be free time. Also, get involved with volunteer opportunities and clubs. That is a great way to get to know people and help you feel better about yourself.
Great for these types of students
There is many many outdoor activities to get inolved with. Bring friends and go kiaking or for a hike or anything outside. You'll never get bored.

Beverly from Estes Park, CO

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I am in the Elementary Education program and thus far it has been amazing. They have a set up schedule of what you have to take and it's just a little bit of everything. Your senior year is an entire year of student teaching to which you can pick to go anywhere in the world. The education program here was highly raved about and I have not been disappointed. I also love the small class sizes that Western has. TA's are rarely used and so if you have a question you can go directly to the professors who are incredibly friendly and open with you.
Am enjoying being here
I have grown up in a small town and so am used to tiny Gunnison. It is an extremely friendly community and you can walk or bike to everything in town. You might even see your professors at the supermarket. The Gunnison Basin is also gorgeous. Lots to do outside whether is camping, hiking, mountain biking, rafting, or having a bonfire at Hartman's. There is also a ski resort about 45 minutes away. The laves in the fall are amazing along with the breath taking sunsets over the mountains. I also had an amazing time in my dorm and made very close friends that will continue on through the years.
Bang for the buck
Western isn't cheap but of course college isn't. It is, however, one of the cheaper schools in Colorado. And it is definitely worth the money because you have such an amazing time.
Tips for prospective students
Everyone is always saying to leave your doors open the first year in the dorms to meet new people, and it's absolutely true. I made some of the best friends I've ever had on my floor and I couldn't have if my door wasn't open. Going to college is a nervous thing to do but you just have to keep in mind that everyone is in the same boat. It's not like moving to a new high school where everyone already has their own friends since kindergarten. No one around you has been to college before so everyone is open to new friends and new bonds.
Great for these types of students
Western is great for people who like to be out of the mess of big cities. It is so peaceful and amazing out there. Also it gets VERY cold! So if you hate that then choose somewhere else. But there is also plenty of indoors places that will warm you up and in is easy to avoid the cold.

Jacob from Yoder, CO

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I love the classes I am taking this year. Everything is always interesting. The teachers always explain everything they are teaching. They have great teaching methods and great personalities. You can always relate to the teachers on a personal level and they are pretty much always available to help you whenever you need it.
Am enjoying being here
If you are looking for adventure, you couldn't find a better place. The town is like one big close-knit community. There are two ski areas within an hour from here. Great views of the mountains that are all around us. Especially when they are covered with snow! The campus is really small, about a five minute walk to get to any class. There are about 2,700 kids and you get to know most of them, which I really like.
Bang for the buck
It is a great college and is very inexpensive too. It is really worth it. Great views, great adventure, great people. Enough said.
Tips for prospective students
If you love adventure, this is for you. Think about what you want to do in the future as well. Apply early in your senior year to many colleges. Also, apply for scholarships. You can never apply for too many. They really do help alot.
Great for these types of students
Outgoing
Adventurous
Skier/Snowboarder
Wanting to learn
Appreciates being cold

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
You will easily find great friends because everyone is super friendly. The professors are very willing to help you with anything if you ask for it. Lastly, location is everything. If you love the outdoors, or if you want to get more into outdoorsy things like ice climbing or mountaineering, this is the place to be.
Tips for prospective students
The campus tour is very helpful, but they can't show you the college experience. Its different for everybody, and the faculty and Orientation leaders make the transition to Western smooth and extremely welcoming.
Academic Rigor
The teachers challenge you and expect high quality work, especially in the Honor's program.
Dorm Life
It's definitely an experience. Dorm life is what you make it.
Food and Dining
To be honest, they could improve the food, but it's not bad considering that they have to feed almost 3,000 kids three times a day.
What to do for fun
You can do anything here. Ski at Crested Butte 30 minutes away, rock climb in the gym, play pool, relax with a cup of coffee, mountaineer in surrounding mountains with Wilderness Pursuits, or skate at the on-campus skatepark or the one across the street.
Great for these types of students
It's a great fit for outdoorsy people.
Clubs and Activities
Young Life Club here is vibrant, exciting, and engaging.

student

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
It is a great place to learn and it feels like your in a community and your opinion matters. The teaching staff is good and willing to help were ever needed. There are tons of activities for everyone and the Gunnison community is great as well.
Tips for prospective students
There are many clubs and groups to be apart of. Also there are plenty of people who don't partake in the drug and drinking scenes.
Academic Rigor
There are many students and of course teachers avidly trying and succeeding in academic excellence in the classroom so there aren't distractions from learning.
Dorm Life
I live of campus now but my freshmen year when I was in the dorms there was a great sense of community, occasionally it can be loud but the RAs usually keep it in tact. The new dorms The Pinnacles are really nice and have great common areas for students.
Food and Dining
The food is defiantly better than a lot of other campuses and always has great options to choose from.
What to do for fun
If you are an outdoor or activities person there is tons to do the school provides Western Pursuit trips that teach you different activities such as rock climbing, biking , rafting , ice climbing , kayaking and more. It is a great opportunity to find and make new friends and travel for a small amount of money.
Clubs and Activities
I would recommend Christian Challenge to anyone they provide a great atmosphere and strong bonding friendships. There is no pressure to be in the drug or drinking scenes and still have tons of fun.
Campus Safety
The campus is generally safe every once in a while there might be an attack but it is rare. They provide a wonderful service to walk you to your dorm if you want and there is Safe Ride ( if you drink and need a ride). I have always felt very safe on campus.

Kathryn from Castle Rock, CO

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
western state is an outdoor laboratory with outstanding opportunities for field experience, connections, and internships. western is the most hospitable college with people who genuinely want to know you and build a friendship. western state challenges you academically and helps you create a bright and successful future.
Tips for prospective students
say hello to everyone you pass by because friendships and connections are important in life. work hard from the beginning because graduate school cares how well you do in school and your first job out of college will care too.
Academic Rigor
if you take challenging classes then you will get challenged and if you take easy classes then you will get easy classes. attending class is extremely important for success in the class because most professors give pop quizzes or give you hints for the test in class. a's are earned with studying, class attendance, and study groups.
Dorm Life
the dorms are where most of my friends have been made and it really helps you build a sense of community in an unfamiliar place. many activities go on in dorms to help keep busy and when you need help studying, the people in your dorm building are usually the ones to go to. they try to assign people with related majors on the same floor.
Food and Dining
dorm food gets old, but sodexo is very good about taking suggestions and applying them to their menu. the staff is extremely friendly and cater to your needs. sometimes the meat is dry and sometimes the pizza gets accidentally burnt, but you can always count on an effort to make it better next time.
What to do for fun
western state is made for anyone who likes the outdoors because in gunnison you can hike, bike, ski, climb, raft, sled, fish, kayak, etc. if outdoors isn't your thing then they always have movie nights, game nights, workshops, guest speakers, comedians, etc. if none of that suits your fancy then i'm sure someone is just as bored as you and you can hang out with them.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
wear flip flops on a powder day. cliff diving. paint your stomach or chest and attend a basketball game, wrestling match, or football game. cardboard sledding on the grass. go to the lighting of a giant christmas tree in town.
Great for these types of students
outdoor lovers and environmentally friendly people.
Clubs and Activities
sga, sustainability coalition, amigos, lead, ski club, track, wrestling, swimming, football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, program counciling, and much more!